An Iraqi translator who was shot in the face while helping American troops in Fallujah has been granted medical asylum to get surgery today at the New York Eye and Ear Hospital.

Saamir Ali was nearly killed Feb. 24, 2004, while driving near a U.S. compound.

A bullet ripped through his right cheek, shattered his mid-face and blew a hole in the roof of his mouth. The bullet exited under his left eye, which was badly damaged. A fellow Iraqi translator who accompanied him was killed.

Ali’s brother, Jamal, was executed last year by gunmen linked to terror master Musab al-Zarqawi, who was just killed in a U.S. airstrike.

Ali, 36, was granted asylum in March after American military officials campaigned for his transfer. He lives here with his sister, and his wife and two daughters – who left Iraq – are expected to join him soon in New York.

Plastic surgeon Manoj Abraham has donated his services to help repair Ali’s face.

“This is one of the most gratifying things I do as a physician,” said Abraham, a professor at Eye and Ear Infirmary who has a practice in Poughkeepsie.

Ali praised Abraham as a savior. “I trust Dr. Abraham. I love the man. He’s like an angel,” he said.